How much catnip should I give my cat?

Less is more with catnip. A small pinch — roughly half a teaspoon of dried catnip — is more than sufficient for most cats. The euphoric response doesn't scale with quantity; once a cat's receptors are triggered, more catnip simply won't intensify or extend the experience.

Starting small also ensures your cat stays comfortable. If they happen to ingest some alongside sniffing it, a small quantity will not cause any issues. Giving large amounts increases the unlikely chance of mild digestive discomfort — so there's no reason to be generous.

Treat it like a sprinkle of seasoning rather than a full serving.